Westmorland Cricket League: Warton hold nerve for Westgate win

Warton came out two-wicket winners after a pulsating clash with Westgate in front of a big Westmorland Cricket League Division One crowd on Saturday.

Andy Hill’s side chose to bat first and never really got out of the blocks.

Warton maintained excellent control with Gareth Finney relatively pleased to see his side dismiss the visitors for 152.

The hosts made a terrible start to their reply however, losing Ryan Nelson, Tom Barnfield and Stuart Mayor cheaply. Dan Dixon (28) was the early mainstay but when Finney (11) went Warton were staring at defeat on 62-7.

A partnership between Jack Brown (38) and Steve Pemberton (34 not out) swung the game Warton’s way but when Brown departed they were 128-8 and the game was in the balance.

Tony Barrow hit his first ball for four before Pemberton crashed two boundaries to seal victory as they finished on 153-8.